After over four-months, league play has resumed, and the on-field action was emphatically welcomed back by soccer fans with open arms.
While some venues allowed limited fans at matches this past weekend like Real Monarchs, Indy Eleven, and Louisville City FC, many stadiums like Papa Murphy’s Park were without fans in attendance.
While Monday’s Republic FC match against Tacoma Defiance ended in a 3-3 draw, the only other weekday matchup ended in a stalemate as well – this being a 1-1 result after the Black Gold Derby between interstate rivals OKC Energy FC and FC Tulsa.
After over four-months, league play has resumed, and the on-field action was emphatically welcomed back by soccer fans with open arms.
While some venues allowed limited fans at matches this past weekend like Real Monarchs, Indy Eleven, and Louisville City FC, many stadiums like Papa Murphy’s Park were without fans in attendance.
While Monday’s Republic FC match against Tacoma Defiance ended in a 3-3 draw, the only other weekday matchup ended in a stalemate as well – this being a 1-1 result after the Black Gold Derby between interstate rivals OKC Energy FC and FC Tulsa.
USL Championship play officially resumed on July 11 when 2019 Championship Cup Title-winners Real Monarchs fell at home 1-0 to newcomers San Diego Loyal SC – coached by USMNT legend Landon Donovan. A first half goal from Grant Stoneman ultimately proved to be the game-winner for the Southern California club away from home.
Of the six games last Saturday, four home clubs claimed victory – aside from Monarchs and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC who fell 2-1 to New Mexico United after United’s Christopher Wehan netted the winning strike in the 87th minute.
Last year’s record-shattering club Phoenix Rising FC was in action against LA Galaxy II on Saturday night in Arizona, and the club was noticeably fired up and focused on bouncing back from last season’s early exit in the postseason. Rising FC picked up right where it left off last year with a 4-0 thrashing of Los Dos as Solomon Asante’s two-goal performance earned the prolific striker Player of the Week honors.
To round out the rest of Saturday’s matches, Indy Eleven collected a 2-0 win over Saint Louis FC, Tampa Bay Rowdies survived Atlanta United 2 2-1, and El Paso Locomotive blanked Rio Grande Valley FC Toros 1-0 in a clash of Lone Star State rivals.
Sunday’s clash between Louisville City SC and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC was nationally televised on ESPN 2 and was Lou City’s inaugural match in its brand-new soccer-specific stadium Lynn Family Stadium. The hosts took an early lead before the top team in the Eastern Conference last season stormed back with three unanswered goals to leave Kentucky with 3-1 win and all three points.
USL Championship play officially resumed on July 11 when 2019 Championship Cup Title-winners Real Monarchs fell at home 1-0 to newcomers San Diego Loyal SC – coached by USMNT legend Landon Donovan. A first half goal from Grant Stoneman ultimately proved to be the game-winner for the Southern California club away from home.
Of the six games last Saturday, four home clubs claimed victory – aside from Monarchs and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC who fell 2-1 to New Mexico United after United’s Christopher Wehan netted the winning strike in the 87th minute.
Last year’s record-shattering club Phoenix Rising FC was in action against LA Galaxy II on Saturday night in Arizona, and the club was noticeably fired up and focused on bouncing back from last season’s early exit in the postseason. Rising FC picked up right where it left off last year with a 4-0 thrashing of Los Dos as Solomon Asante’s two-goal performance earned the prolific striker Player of the Week honors.
To round out the rest of Saturday’s matches, Indy Eleven collected a 2-0 win over Saint Louis FC, Tampa Bay Rowdies survived Atlanta United 2 2-1, and El Paso Locomotive blanked Rio Grande Valley FC Toros 1-0 in a clash of Lone Star State rivals.
Sunday’s clash between Louisville City SC and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC was nationally televised on ESPN 2 and was Lou City’s inaugural match in its brand-new soccer-specific stadium Lynn Family Stadium. The hosts took an early lead before the top team in the Eastern Conference last season stormed back with three unanswered goals to leave Kentucky with 3-1 win and all three points.
